Year: 2005
Record Label: Sunny Harbour Records
Style: Latin Jazz / Latin Funk
Musicians: Adonis Puentes (vocals, bongo) Alexis Puentes (bass, acoustic guitar, tres) Joby Baker (drums, melodica) Orlando Cardosa (piano) Jose Sanchez (percussion) Alexis Baro (trumpet, flugehorn) Hector Ferrales (background vocals) Armando Alvarez (background vocals)
Review: Vida, the new CD by Adonis Puentes is a wonderful introduction into
the world of Cuban music. Adonis, one half of the The Puentes Brothers singing
team, gained fame in his adopted homeland of Canada along with his brother
Alexis. In 2001 the duo released their debut recording Morumba
Cubans that went on to be nominated for a Juno, the Canadian version of a
Grammy, as well as winning an Indie award for Best World Beat Independent Album
of the year. Despite these achievements the brothers decided to pursue separate
recording projects for a time, and the end result of that separation
for Adonis is Vida. Vida translates into Life in English and the
songs on this recording show a depth and range of talents far beyond this young
performers age.
Nearly half of the songs on this recording were written by Adonis
brother Alexis, who also served as his producer as well as providing
background vocals, and playing bass and guitar.The end result is a much
more personal disk, the songs have a resonance of emotion that may have
escaped another producer less familiar with his artist. Alexis is able to
anticipate his brothers vocal range and fit the material to the singer with
ease.
"Comerciante" the opening track, has a strong Cuban rhythm that is at once
both captivating and inviting. The pulsating beat of
the percussion section lead by Puentes , along with the soaring trumpet of
Alexis Baro accents Puentes strong vocals. "Con Las Hadas"
also features the trumpet playing of Alexis Baro and is offset by the chorus of
background vocalists who add a rich texture to the number. "Que Miras" really
gives Adonis a chance to show off his vocal range and he takes full opportunity
to do so with great results.
"Has Algo" is a up tempo number that is done to perfection and once
again displays the tight and spirited playing of these musicians. The
surprise here is the introduction of a hip hop element in the form of Kia
Kadiri, now this may sound a little off base but the end result is a perfect
match of different styles that compliment each other beautifully.
The place where Adonis shines the most is in the slower ballads that give him
a chance to display his vocal abilities to their finest, the kind
that draw you in and make you feel the songs as well as hear them. One of
the better numbers is "Tu y Yo". On this song the playing is kept to minimum and
Puentes soars and glides effortlessly over the material. "Mi Flor" and "El Tim
Marin" and also fine examples of the kind of singing Cuban performers are renown
for, heartfelt and emotional and delivered with a simple elegance. Nobody does
it better than Adonis Puentes. Vida closes out with "Solo Tu" (Mercers Mi Amour)
another uplifting dance number that should be played loud and often, Vida is not
only a wonderful introduction to Cuban music, but to a singer, songwriter, and a
percussionist with a long career ahead of him.
Tracks: Comerciante, Con Las Hadas, Que Miras, Algo De Mi, Has Algo, Tu y Yo, Mi Flor, Entre Tus Brazos, El Tin Marin, Solo Tu (Mereces Mi Amor)
Record Label Website: http://www.sunnyharborrecords.com
Artist's Website: http://www.adonispuentes.com
Reviewed by:
Jim McElroy
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